Quickie marriages among young couples is one of the factors behind the increasing divorce rate among Muslims in Sarawak.
About 50 per cent of registered marriages in the state end up in divorce, according to statistics.
Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman said the divorce rate among Muslims in big cities such as Kuching, Miri, Sibu and Bintulu had registered a rise.
“The number of Muslim couples getting married is increasing every year. Unfortunately, the divorce rate is also going up.
“The major contribution to divorce in the state is the couple getting married too early and too fast.
“Initially, they think they are compatible but after sometime, they realize they are not. Then, they bid goodbye and divorce. Some of them even disappear,” he told reporters after attending the Aidiladha sacrificial slaughter of animals at the Nur Hidayah surau in Kampung Kolong 2 Wetan here today.
Daud said the state Islamic Council (Jais) offered counselling to married couples to save the marriage.
Last week, Social Development and Urbanisation Minister, Datuk Seri William Mawan Ikom had said the ministry would embark on a study of divorce and family life.
The aim of the study — expected to be completed by next July — is to understand why people rush to get married and divorce soon after.
-Bernama
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